Method of and apparatus for preshrinking and conditioning fabrics



June 19, I934.

A. w. BUHLMANN 1,963,292 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRESI'IRINKING AND CONDITIONING FABRICS Filed May 1, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Q, N

O w 53 W KO a o M l) o) I I INVENTOR. \g 14170LP/l/4/fi0l/LM/7/V/V Elk (6L wyorw ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1934. A. w. BUHLMANN I 1,953,292 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING AND CONDITIONING FABRICS Filed May 1, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 & QM

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.N N m Mm T4 o E N N E R V2 Wm mm, M M MM F M NI-l Y vB Patented June 19, I 1934 UNITED STATES METHOD OF SHRINKIN BIOS Adolph Walter Buhlmann,

uhlma sixnor to A. W. B

N. Y., a corporation of New dork AND APPARATUS FOR PRE- CONDITIONING FAB- York, N. Y., 88-.

New nn Inc., New York,

Application May 1, 1931-, Serial No. 534,394

3 Claims.

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for pre-shrinking and conditioning fabrics.

Fabrics made of synthetic fiber, such as rayon,

have certain objectionable characteristics such as a peculiar tint, a rough or harsh feel, and an undesirable sheen, which must be removed by special treatments to make the fabric suitable for most purposes.

In my Patent, No. 1,786,421, I have disclosed a method of and apparatus for conditioning fabrics of synthetic fiber and while the method therein- 5 ing apparel; there are certain types of such fabrics such as rayon linings, which require additional treatment. In my said patent the fabric is permeated with steam at a pressure of approximately pounds per square inch and a tempera- 0 ture of approximately 213 F., and thereafter cooled by withdrawing the steam and forcing air through the fabric. The patent shows the fabric as being blanketed during the treatment.

An important object of my present invention is to provide a method of conditioning and treating fabrics, particularly fabrics of synthetic fiber, to remove therefrom the objectionable characteristics and to impart thereto a soft texture and rich and natural appearance.

Another object of my present invention is the provision of a method of and apparatus for obtaining absolute pre-shrinkage of fabrics particularly those made of synthetic fiber.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for obtaining the above result without subjecting the goods to any tension during treatment, so that complete shrinkage is obtained. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention which will become apparent hereinafter, I provide means for progressivelysubjecting the fabric to the penetration of steam at a pressure of approximately 15 pounds per square inch and a temperature of approximately 213 F. to cause a preliminary contraction of the fibres; then subjecting the fabric to the action of dry heat to evaporate the moisture with which the fabric has been saturated, thus obtaining a thorough shrinkage in length and width, and then folding the fabric while simultaneously subjecting it to atmospheric action which further driesfthe fabric resulting in further shrinkage.

During the above. process and the operation the machinery for accomplishing the same,

the fabric is not subjected to any tension as will be more apparent after reading the following detail description of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawingswherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which.

, Fig. 1 is a side diagrammatic view of a machine with parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionalview through the steaming apparatus; and

Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a supporting frame at the top of which the perforate cylinder 6 is rotatably mounted on bearings 7, with sprocket wheels 8 and 9 mounted for rotation with the cylinder 6 at opposite ends thereof. A main drive shaft 10 is journaled in the frame and carries a gear wheel 11 and sprocket wheel 12, the shaft being driven from a source of power not shown. A chain 13 is, trained around the sprocket wheels 9 and 12-and across the tensioning roller 14 to rotate the cylinder 6, and a chain 15 is trained around the .sprocket wheel 8 and the wheel 16 across the tensioning roller 17 so that as the cylinder 6 rotates it willrotate the wheel 16 for a purpose to be later described. The fabric 18 is passed over roller 19 and under 'roller 20 and between the expander 21 in the nature of a conical roller journaled in the frame in proximity to the outer periphery of the cylinder 6. The fabric passes over around the cylinder 6 covering an arc of approximately 250 as shown in Fig. 1 and from the cylinder it passes over an inclined heated table 22 and over the roller 23 at the lower end of the table on to the movable platform 24. The roller 23 is-operated by the belt or sprocket chain 25 which is passed around the wheel 26' which is rigidly connected to the gear 26' in mesh with and driven by the gear 27 which in turn meshes with the gear wheel 11 on the main shaft 10. The ratio between the wheels 23, 26 and 11 is the same as the ratio between the wheels 9 and 12 so that the roller 23 will rotate at the same speed as the cylinderv 6 in order that the fabric will be moved evenly and without any tension being exerted thereon.

The platform 24 is mounted on wheels 28 which preferably are on a track 28' and the platform is connected by-a link 29 with the lever 30 fulcrumed at 31 to the frame. A connecting rod 32 is plvotally connected at 33 to the wheel 16 and at 34 to'the lever 30 so that as the wheel 16 is rotated by the chain 15 and sprocket wheel 8 the crank shaft 32 will reciprocate to swing the lever sill so on its fulcrum to move the link 29 backwards and forwards at predetermined distances thereby reciprocating platform 24 beneath the roller 23 so that the fabric 18 will be foldedthereon as shown in Fig. 1, it being apparent that as the platform 24 moves back and forth the stretch of fabric between the roller 23 and the platform is wafted in the atmosphere.

Within the cylinder 6 is mounted the bafiie plate which directs the steam from the jets'36 of a steam spray connected by pipe 37 with a source of supply not shown, through a segment of approximately 120 upwardly toward the fabric which is progressively passed over the cylinder in the manner hereinbefore described.

As has been mentioned the steam issuing from the jets is under approximately a pressure of 315 pounds per-square inch and of a temperature of approximately 213.067" E.

The operation is as follows:

The fabric to be pre-shrunk and is passed over and under guide rollers 19 and 20 respectively and between the expander 14 and cylinder 6 and around the cylinder 6 to a point above and in proximity to the inclined heated table 22, then downwardly across the top face of the table and over the roller 23 on to the platform 24.. As the fabric traverses the course just mentioned, the table 22 is heated and steam at the temperature and pressure above mentioned, which affords a saturated steam, is issuing from the jets 36 and is being deflected by the bafile plate 35 through the openings 38 in the cylinder 6 over a substantial portion thereof so that a single thickness or layer of fabric is continuousiy and successively subjected first to the action of the saturated steam as it passes over the roller 6 causing a contraction of the warp and filling threads naturally resulting in shrinking the fab= ric, and creased when the fabric is subjected to the action conditioned of the dry heat emanating from the table 22 whichevaporates the moisture in the fabric as will be obvious. The fabric is further dried when it is subjected to the atmosphere as it is waited between the roller 23 and movable platform 24. At no time during the above process is the fabric subjected to tension which would prevent complete shrinking as it runs loosely and smoothly over the cylinder 6, table 22 and roller"23 on to the platform 24 the movements of which are synchronized by a proper ratio between the parts of the mechanism which driv'ethe cylinder 6, roller 23 and platform 24.

A fabricafter being treated on the apparatus and in accordance with the process hereinebove disclosed, is completely shrunk. If a fabric of "synthetic fiber treated in accordance with the foregoing disclosure is then subjected to the 'method disclosed in my Patent 1,788,421 the appearance and texture of the fabric is completely altered, in fact a totally unexpected result is obtained and a rayon fabric which has been preshrunk in accordance with the disclosure of this application and then subjected to saturated steam while blanketed as disclosed in my said patent, will be found to possess a very soft and natural texture and a rich and natural appearthe contraction of the threads is in-- cylinder and in alinement eas es ance and will be in proper and ideal condition for tailoring.

I believe that the apparatus and process disclosed herein possesses great utility in shrinkingand conditioning all types of fabrics and I do not wish to limit the invention to the conditioning and pre-shrinking fabrics of synthetic-fibers either on the apparatus itself or in connection with the methods disclosed in my said Patent to impart to rayon fabrics the appearance, texture and natural characteristics long sought.

While I have not shown'a mechanical connection between the apparatus herein disclosed and that disclosed in my said Patent No. 1,786,421 it should be obvious that the fabric which is fed on to the platform or over the roller 23 can be passed to apparatus such as disclosed in my said patent for treatment in accordance with the disclosure thereof.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus for shrinking and conditioning fabrics comprising a perforate steaming cylinder, a heated surface adjacent the cylinder to receive the fabric therefrom, a roller at the end of said surface remote from said cylinder, and means for rotating said cylinder and roller without winding the fabric on either, said means being synchronized to continuously move the fabric over said cylinder, heated surface and roller with: out tension on the fabric.

2. Apparatus for shrinking and conditioning fabrics comprising a supporting frame, a perforate cylinder rotatably mounted thereon, a steam spray within the cylinder, a heated surface at one side of the cylinder, an expander rotatably mounted on the frame at the other side of the cylinder to guide the fabric against the surface of the cylinder, the heated surface at the other side of the cylinder being disposed to receive the fabric therefrom, a roller at the other end of said heated surface, and means for rotating said expander, cylinder and roller, said means being synchronized to continuously move the fabric over the cylinder, heated surface and roller without tension on the fabric.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a. perforate cylinder, a roller remote from the therewith, said cylinder and roller being adapted to receive a strip of fabric on arcs of their surfaces without winding the fabric thereon, means for saturating the portions of the fabric. on the cylinder with steam to moisten said portions, means intermediate said cylinder and roller to dry the moistened portions, and means for rotating the cylinder and roller at similar speeds to progressively move the strip over said cylinder, drying means, and roller without tension on the fabric from the time it is moistened until it has passed over the rollers.

mom WALTER BUHLMANN. 

